HA-LIX ¦ LHBS 02.09.2005
Lisunov Li-2T (c/n 18433209)
Goldtimer Alapítvány (Goldtimer Foundation)
Budapest-Budaörs (LHBS)
02 September 2005
What looks like a Douglas DC-3 is in fact not a DC-3, but rather a Lisunov Li-2 out the Soviet licence production of the DC-3. It is operated by the Goldtimer Foundation, and is still active today, making it the very last of the type still flying. A good means to visually identify a Li-2 is the small square window behind the main cockpit window, right above the small front door. Such a window is not normally found on a standard DC-3.
HA-LIX was delivered as S104 to the Hungarian Air Force in September 1949, became 209 in 1952 and was transferred to then national carrier Malév as HA-LIX in 1957. It was returned to the Air Force in 1964, and served until 1997, when it was handed over to the Hadtörténeti Múzeum (Hungarian Military History Museum), for operation by Goldtimer Alapítvány, a foundation dedicated to preserving and operating historic aircraft. The Li-2 was restored in the late nineties using parts from other Li-2 aircraft, and is now based at Budapest-Budaörs airport.
In September 2005 when HA-LIX was seen at Buadörs, it wore a special Malév Sunflower Aviation colour scheme to celebrate Hungary's aviation history and Malév's legacy. The sunflower motif symbolized Hungarian warmth, hospitality, and national identity.
In 2008, however, the Li-2 as resprayed in the classic Malév livery used betwenn 1958 and 1964, and is still flying in this livery to the present day, regularly appearing at airshows across Europe. It can also be booked for pleasure rides.
HA-LIX ¦ LHBS 02.09.2005
Lisunov Li-2T (c/n 18433209)
Goldtimer Alapítvány (Goldtimer Foundation)
Budapest-Budaörs (LHBS)
02 September 2005
What looks like a Douglas DC-3 is in fact not a DC-3, but rather a Lisunov Li-2 out the Soviet licence production of the DC-3. It is operated by the Goldtimer Foundation, and is still active today, making it the very last of the type still flying. A good means to visually identify a Li-2 is the small square window behind the main cockpit window, right above the small front door. Such a window is not normally found on a standard DC-3.
HA-LIX was delivered as S104 to the Hungarian Air Force in September 1949, became 209 in 1952 and was transferred to then national carrier Malév as HA-LIX in 1957. It was returned to the Air Force in 1964, and served until 1997, when it was handed over to the Hadtörténeti Múzeum (Hungarian Military History Museum), for operation by Goldtimer Alapítvány, a foundation dedicated to preserving and operating historic aircraft. The Li-2 was restored in the late nineties using parts from other Li-2 aircraft, and is now based at Budapest-Budaörs airport.
In September 2005 when HA-LIX was seen at Buadörs, it wore a special Malév Sunflower Aviation colour scheme to celebrate Hungary's aviation history and Malév's legacy. The sunflower motif symbolized Hungarian warmth, hospitality, and national identity.
In 2008, however, the Li-2 as resprayed in the classic Malév livery used betwenn 1958 and 1964, and is still flying in this livery to the present day, regularly appearing at airshows across Europe. It can also be booked for pleasure rides.